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Shop Local, Columbus: The 2023 Holiday Gift Guide


The 2023 Columbus Navigator Holiday Shopping Guide is sponsored by Cameron Mitchell Restaurants. This year, the CMR Holiday Bonus is back! Receive a $25 bonus card reward for every $100 in gift cards purchased, now through December 30th. You can purchase gift cards at any Cameron Mitchell Restaurants’ location or online at shopcameronmitchell.com!

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is kicking off.

This time of year can be so busy, especially once you factor in tracking down the perfect presents for the people who mean the most to you. This year, in particular, it’s so vital that we support our local businesses.

Columbus has an amazing variety of local shops offering unique and exciting items. If you want to step up your gift-giving-game, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s start shopping, friends.

For the person who’s new to Columbus


Written by local author Sandra Gurvis with photographs by Mitch Geiser, this book would be great for a friend who is new to the city, or for your coffee table. There’s always something new to explore in our wonderful city, and 111 Places in Columbus That You Must Not Miss will give you a great place to start.
Available at Grammercy Books | $19.90

For the office gift exchange

daily planner on paper
via On Paper

Office gift exchanges can be tough. But if you’re looking for a people pleaser that will help keep your colleagues organized, check out this beautiful casebound daily planner. They’ll love it.
Available at On Paper | $50

For the new professional in your life

via Facebook

Help your loved one make a big splash in the professional world with a stylish suit. There’s no better place in Columbus to suit up than Pursuit.
Available at Pursuit | Prices vary

For the pizza lovers in your life


CMH Gourmond, aka Jim Ellison, has been blogging about food in Columbus for a very long time. With that expertise, you can trust that you’re going to learn something you didn’t know about Columbus-style pizza in his book, Columbus Pizza: A Slice of History.
Available at Arcadia Publishing | $11

For the teenager who just wants to look cool and be comfortable

homage t-shirts
via Facebook

You really can’t go wrong with an Homage t-shirt. Especially when they have such a massive selection to choose from.
Available at Homage | Prices vary

For the loud and proud Ohioan

o-h-i-o t shirt
via State of Devotion

We all have that one friend. You know, the one who loves everything about living in Ohio, especially the Buckeyes.
Available at State of Devotion | $28

For that lady you love

red giraffe earrings
via Red Giraffe Designts

Whether she’s your bestie or the love your life, she deserves something shiny this holiday season. These adorable earrings come in gold, silver, and rose gold and they’re perfect for those with sensitive skin.
Available at Red Giraffe Jewelry | $60

For the kids with imagination

sensory box cub shrub
via Cub Shrub

Let the kiddos embark on a building adventure while engaging their sense of touch with a construction zone themed sensory bin! They can play with sensory sand, rocks, and trucks to build fine motor skills and promote sensory development.

Available at Cub Shrub | $25

For the coffee lover

florin coffee columbus
via Facebook

Just like the Jelly of the Month club, this is the gift that keeps on giving. If you’ve got a coffee lover in your life, grab them a rotating coffee subscription from Florin Coffee. They’ll get a variety of locally roasted and ethically sourced coffee and you’ll get the joy of knowing you brighten all of their mornings.
Available at Florin Coffee | Starting at $20

For the teenager that’s hard to buy for

small square chain necklace
via Thread

This small, square link gold chain will impress even the toughest of teenagers. The necklace is 20 inches. It’s simple and perfect for layering.
Available at Thread | $68

For the friend who loves to read

kinship book series
via Macmillan

The Kinship Series, written by Ohio native Jess Montgomery, is a four book series set in 1920s Appalachian Ohio and inspired by Ohio’s true first female sheriff. You can start with Book 1, The Widows.
Available at Jess Montgomery | $27.99

For the whole fam


Wow the kiddos with a behind-the-scenes tour at the Columbus Zoo. You can meet sea lions, okapi, and even cheetahs! The whole family will enjoy getting up close and personal with the animals at the zoo and to see what life is like for the zoo staff as well as the animal residents. Face masks are required for all visitors at the zoo.
Available at The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium | Prices vary

For the friend who loves to eat well

You can’t go wrong with a gift card to Cameron Mitchell Restaurants. Not only will you give your friend a gift they’ll love, you’ll also get a bonus $25 gift card with every $100 spent that you can use to treat yourself!
Available at Cameron Mitchell Restaurants (online) | $100